Search results matching tags 'Conferences', 'SQL Community', and 'fun'http://sqlblog.com/search/SearchResults.aspx?o=DateDescending&tag=Conferences,SQL+Community,fun&orTags=0Search results matching tags 'Conferences', 'SQL Community', and 'fun'en-USCommunityServer 2.1 SP2 (Build: 61129.1)PASS Summit 2011 - What you can expect at the Conference - Summaryhttp://sqlblog.com/blogs/rick_heiges/archive/2011/09/19/pass-summit-2011-what-you-can-expect-at-the-conference-summary.aspxMon, 19 Sep 2011 13:30:00 GMT21093a07-8b3d-42db-8cbf-3350fcbf5496:38504RickHeiges<P>As I finish up preparing for the Sep 20 (@1pm ET) webcast, I thought a final blog post may be appropriate in order to quickly reference many of the areas that I have touched upon.&nbsp; Naturally, much of this information is geared towards First Timers, but Alumni are welcome to join in the webcast as well and are encouraged to help spread even more tips/tricks around to all who attend.</P>
<OL>
<LI><A href="http://sqlblog.com/blogs/rick_heiges/archive/2011/09/09/pass-summit-2011-what-you-can-expect-at-the-conference-part-1.aspx" target=_blank>General Overview</A></LI>
<LI><A href="http://sqlblog.com/blogs/rick_heiges/archive/2011/09/12/what.aspx" target=_blank>Planning Your Learning Itinerary</A></LI>
<LI><A href="http://sqlblog.com/blogs/rick_heiges/archive/2011/09/14/pass-summit-2011-what-you-can-expect-at-the-conference-part-2.aspx" target=_blank>Meals</A></LI>
<LI><A href="http://sqlblog.com/blogs/rick_heiges/archive/2011/09/15/pass-summit-2011-what-you-can-expect-at-the-conference-part-4.aspx" target=_blank>More Than Just Sessions</A>&nbsp; - <A href="http://sqlblog.com/blogs/rick_heiges/archive/2011/09/20/be-prepared-to-ask-the-css-and-sqlcat-folks-your-toughest-questions.aspx" target=_blank>And Be Prepared</A></LI>
<LI><A href="http://sqlblog.com/blogs/rick_heiges/archive/2011/09/16/pass-summit-2011-what-you-can-expect-at-the-conference-part-5.aspx" target=_blank>Networking</A></LI>
<LI><A href="http://sqlblog.com/blogs/rick_heiges/archive/2011/09/16/pass-summit-2011-what-you-can-expect-at-the-conference-part-6.aspx" target=_blank>After Hours</A></LI>
<LI><A href="http://sqlblog.com/blogs/rick_heiges/archive/2011/09/16/pass-summit-2011-what-you-can-expect-at-the-conference-part-7.aspx" target=_blank>Social Networking Tools</A></LI>
<LI><A href="http://sqlblog.com/blogs/rick_heiges/archive/2011/09/19/pass-summit-2011-what-you-can-expect-at-the-conference-part-8.aspx" target=_blank>Logistics</A></LI></OL>
<P>Register <A href="https://www.livemeeting.com/lrs/8000181573/Registration.aspx?pageName=79tznhrs771f4tdn" target=_blank>HERE </A>for the webcast.&nbsp; It will be recorded and be available for replay shortly thereafter.</P>PASS Summit 2011 - What you can expect at the Conference - Part 7http://sqlblog.com/blogs/rick_heiges/archive/2011/09/16/pass-summit-2011-what-you-can-expect-at-the-conference-part-7.aspxFri, 16 Sep 2011 16:30:00 GMT21093a07-8b3d-42db-8cbf-3350fcbf5496:38473RickHeiges<P>I really don't think that you can get the full flavor of the Summit unless you delve into Social Networking.&nbsp; There are multiple vehicles for social networking.&nbsp; Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare, LinkedIn, and Yelp are all tools in the Social Networking Toolbox.&nbsp; At the Summit, the best one of these is Twitter.&nbsp; With twitter, yo can eavesdrop on conversations, get tips in real time, and find out where people are hanging out at.&nbsp; </P>
<P><A href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDgFHZR7dAc&amp;feature=related" target=_blank>Here</A> is a YouTube video that is pretty good about Twitter.&nbsp; There are other ones out there as well.</P>
<P>I recommend that you use a twitter client like TweetDeck on your PC and also on your smart phone.&nbsp; The interface makes it easier to use than the plain vanilla web page.&nbsp; In your twitter client, you can create custom "feeds" to target a particular word or idea.&nbsp; You can have multiple comuns on your client with many of these "feeds" that you follow.&nbsp; These words that you target are often referred to as hashtags.&nbsp; Here are some common hashtags to follow:</P>
<UL>
<LI>#sqlpass</LI>
<LI>#sqlhelp</LI>
<LI>#firsttimers</LI>
<LI>#sqlkilt</LI>
<LI>#sqlkaraoke</LI>
<LI>#24hop</LI>
<LI>#sqlrally</LI>
<LI>#sqlsat</LI></UL>
<P>Once you start using twitter, you''ll understand more of what all this means.&nbsp; Brent Ozar has put together a great primer on twitter that may be found <A href="http://www.brentozar.com/archive/2008/08/twitter-101/" target=_blank>here</A>.&nbsp; Closing thoughts on Twitter:</P>
<UL>
<LI>You don't have to create an account to get value out of it.&nbsp; You can just follow some of the hashtags listed above - especially #sqlpass</LI>
<LI>Get on twitter and try it out before you get to the summit</LI>
<LI>Follow #sqlhelp and learn a LOT about where you can find great resources for SQL Server.</LI>
<LI>make up your own hashtags like #JustSayin or #KilroyWashere or #whatever</LI>
<LI>When choosing a "handle", consider incorporating "SQL" as part of it.&nbsp; Members of the SQL Community are more apt to follow you and value your tweets if they know you are a SQL Server Professional.</LI></UL>
<P>Another application (targeted for mobile devices) that can be valuable is FourSquare.&nbsp; FourSquare also integrates with Twiiter and FaceBook.&nbsp; It works best with smart phones with GPS enabled.&nbsp; Essentially, you check-in to a location such as a restaurant , bar, Conference Center, etc.&nbsp; As part of the "check-in" process, you can add a "shout" to your check-in that may be tweeted and/or set to update your FaceBook status.&nbsp; This is optional, but it can help with networking.&nbsp; Check out FourSquare.</P>
<P>The third social networking property that holds value is LinkedIn.&nbsp; There are many discussion groups affiliated with PASS.&nbsp; It is a great way to connect with other SQL Professionals once you get home.</P>
<P>There is also a <A href="http://www.youtube.com/user/SQLPASSTV" target=_blank>PASS YouTube</A> Channel.&nbsp; Check out the videos from last year's summit!&nbsp; Of course, PASS is also on FaceBook.&nbsp; Another social networking tool that you may find useful is YELP.&nbsp; It is particualrly good at helping to find a good restaurant near by.</P>
<P>Flickr - Many folks who are shutterbugs or just want to share photos do so via Flickr and the&nbsp;#sqlpass or #PASS2011 hashtags.&nbsp; I look forward to seeing a lot of pictures from everyone this year.&nbsp;</P>
<P>Bottom Line:&nbsp; Get on Twitter Now!&nbsp; Follow #sqlpass and #sqlhelp.&nbsp; Get involved in the conversation.</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>PASS Summit 2011 - What you can expect at the Conference - Part 2http://sqlblog.com/blogs/rick_heiges/archive/2011/09/12/what.aspxMon, 12 Sep 2011 13:11:00 GMT21093a07-8b3d-42db-8cbf-3350fcbf5496:38404RickHeiges<P>One of the things that you should do is map out your "Learning Itinerary" before coming to the summit. It probably will change once you get onsite, but having a plan will save you time and perhaps some frustration.&nbsp; You can go to the Summit website and start to <A href="http://www.sqlpass.org/summit/2011/SummitContent/BuildSchedule.aspx" target=_blank>build</A> your schedule.</P>
<P>When you arrive at registration to get your badge and other materials, you will also receive a Program Guide.&nbsp; This booklet has a lot of information about the entire event.&nbsp; It has a detailed description of each session, maps of the venue, and much more.&nbsp; We also have a Smart Phone App (iPhone, Android, Windows 7 Phone) that has much of this same information.&nbsp; The advantage of relying on the Smat Phone App is that it will have the latest information available (Session Changes, etc).&nbsp; More information on this later.</P>
<P>Each Session has a Session Code associated with it. Example: AD-104, BIA-303-S, DBA-302-M.&nbsp; There are 4 timeslots/day with up to 15 different choices; that's over 170 choices!</P>
<P>The first part identifies the <A href="http://www.sqlpass.org/summit/2011/SummitContent.aspx" target=_blank>Track</A> the session is part of:</P>
<UL>
<LI>AD = Application Development</LI>
<LI>AZ = SQL Azure</LI>
<LI>BIA = BI Architecture / Development</LI>
<LI>BID = BI Deployment / Delivery</LI>
<LI>DBA = Enterprise Database Administration and Deployment</LI>
<LI>PD = Professional Development</LI></UL>
<P>The Second part indicates the Level that the session is aimed at.&nbsp; 100, 200, and so on.</P>
<P>The suffix is optional and may indicate several things to be aware of:</P>
<UL>
<LI>S = <A href="http://www.sqlpass.org/summit/2011/SummitContent/SpotlightSessions.aspx" target=_blank>Spotlight</A> Session (These sessions are 90 minutes instead of 75)</LI>
<LI>M= Microsoft (Presented by Microsoft)</LI>
<LI>C = CSS (Presented by a Member of the CSS team from Microsoft)</LI>
<LI>HD = <A href="http://www.sqlpass.org/summit/2011/SummitContent/ProgramSessions.aspx?cid=47&amp;p=1&amp;preferred=false" target=_blank>Half-Day</A> (3 hour session - NEW This Year!)</LI></UL>
<P>There are also a few sessions identified as "<A href="http://www.sqlpass.org/summit/2011/SummitContent/LightningTalks2011.aspx" target=_blank>Lightning Talks</A>"&nbsp; These sessions have a variety of speakers who give a brief 5 minute presentation.&nbsp; Lots of Fun and covers a multitude of subjects quickly.&nbsp; You won't be bored in here!&nbsp; I encourage you to attend at least one Lightning Talk during the summit.&nbsp; You never know what gems you can find in a 5 minute talk.</P>
<P>What happens if there is more than one session that you wish to attend?&nbsp; Can you be two places at once?&nbsp; No, but all sessions are being recorded and will be available usually a few weeks later via streaming.&nbsp; A DVD set may also be purchased by modifying your registration information or by ordering onsite.</P>
<P>Outside the session rooms, a sign will indicate what sessions are scheduled to be there and who is presenting.&nbsp; Some sessinos / speakers will have a special designation.&nbsp;Here are some terms that you may see and what it means:</P>
<UL>
<LI>MVP - Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Awardee (This is a non-Microsoft person who eagerly shares knowledge about SQL Server with the community)</LI>
<LI>MCM - Microsoft Certified Professional (Passed both a written and Lab Exam)</LI>
<LI>SQLCAT - SQL Server Customer Advisory Team member (often weearing a SQLCAT shirt typically of a hideous color)</LI></UL>
<P>In the hallways and lunch rooms, you will also see people with a Red Vest on.&nbsp; These people are playing the role of a PASS Ambassador.&nbsp; These people are Alumni Attendees who simply want to help you have a better experience at the summit.&nbsp; They can help you with Finding a Session room, Reading the Program Guide, Getting you in touch with the right resource, or just about anything else.</P>
<P>The Session Rooms are setup "Theater Style" - Rows of chairs beside one another (no tables).&nbsp; You will notice that each session room will have several reserved seats for Amabassadors.&nbsp; Ambassadors often come in late or leave a little early and need easy access to alleviate any&nbsp;disruption to the speaker.</P>
<P>Each Room also has a Room Monitor.&nbsp; These people work for the convention center.&nbsp; They are charged with:</P>
<UL>
<LI>Enforcing Capacity Restrictions / Fire Code</LI>
<LI>Enforcing Security for Entry to the Session Rooms by checking badges</LI>
<LI>Counting Attendees / Providing a 5 minute warning to the speaker</LI>
<LI>Collection Paper Evaluations</LI></UL>
<P>Room Monitors are helpful too - especially with questions about the facility.&nbsp; Amabassadors are a better resource for questions relating to PASS or the summit in general.</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>Setting up for PASS Summit Orientationhttp://sqlblog.com/blogs/rick_heiges/archive/2011/08/31/setting-up-for-pass-summit-orientation.aspxWed, 31 Aug 2011 13:41:00 GMT21093a07-8b3d-42db-8cbf-3350fcbf5496:38181RickHeiges<P>I am in the process of finalizing a date (week of Sep 19) for a LiveMeeting event that will focus on the upcoming PASS Community Summit.&nbsp;It will be primarily targeted at the first-timers to the Summit, but everyone will be welcome to join.&nbsp; There will be event information forthcoming on the PASS website - <A href="http://www.sqlpass.org/">www.sqlpass.org</A>. </P>
<P>Here is a rundown on the topics that I plan to cover:</P>
<UL>
<LI>What is PASS?&nbsp; PASS Events (Summit, Rally, 24hop, SQLSat, Chapters, Virtual Chapters)</LI>
<LI>What to Expect / How to read the Program Guide and Smart Phone App to Plan your Itinerary</LI>
<LI>Pre-cons, half-day sessions, spotlight sessions, Speaker annotations (MVP, MCM, SQLCAT)</LI>
<LI>Stuff besides Sessions (Hands-on labs, SQL Clinic, Expert Pods, Birds of Feather Lunch, etc.)</LI>
<LI>Social Media (Twitter, Foursquare, Flickr, etc)</LI>
<LI>Activities "outside of the Summit" (SQL Karaoke, Photo walk, Kilt Day, etc)</LI>
<LI>Logistics - Getting to the Summit from SEA-TAC (light rail, shuttle, cab, etc.)</LI></UL>
<P>I have gone through the Flickr photos.&nbsp; Always looking for more "gems".&nbsp; Looking for photos that may help with logistics or showcasing interaction at the summit.&nbsp;Leave a comment for a link to other sites like Flickr with pictures from past summits.</P>
<P>Thanks!</P>Best Thing that I learned at PASShttp://sqlblog.com/blogs/rick_heiges/archive/2009/06/30/best-thing-that-i-learned-at-pass.aspxTue, 30 Jun 2009 17:55:00 GMT21093a07-8b3d-42db-8cbf-3350fcbf5496:15018RickHeiges<P>I remember my first PASS Summit in Denver in January 2002 (Delayed from Sep 2001 in Orlando due to Sep 11).&nbsp; One of the last sessions that I attended was led by Fabian Pascal.&nbsp; He runs a website called <A href="http://www.dbdebunk.com/">www.dbdebunk.com</A> and is rather entertaining at times.&nbsp; At the time that I attended the Summit, I was teaching at High Point University.&nbsp; At many academic institutions, practicality doesn't count.&nbsp; Perhaps I did not realize when I was listening to Fabian at the time, but it soon became clear to me why vendors "customize" the ANSI SQL Standard.&nbsp; It is very evident that Fabian thinks things through carefully and has a great command of database concepts.But he is very "academic" in his thinking.&nbsp; I am not saying that this is bad, but if there is a way to perform actions in a more efficient manner and increase performance by deviating from the "standard", it should be considered.</P>
<P>On a lighter side, I learned that I could stay up all night drinking and still make it to sessions the next day.&nbsp; I learned this in (take your pick of years).&nbsp; :-)</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>Attend a SQL Server User Group Meeting - Today (Nov 12) - From Virtually Anywherehttp://sqlblog.com/blogs/rick_heiges/archive/2008/11/12/attend-a-sql-server-user-group-meeting-today-nov-12-from-virtually-anywhere.aspxWed, 12 Nov 2008 13:27:00 GMT21093a07-8b3d-42db-8cbf-3350fcbf5496:9938RickHeiges<P>I posted earlier that we are holding an organizational meeting in a virtual world called "Second Life".&nbsp; Second Life is a Virtual World where you interact with others by voice or typing or gestures.&nbsp; Here are the details:</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Calibri>Where:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun:yes;">&nbsp; </SPAN>Microsoft User Group Island (Classroom 1) - <A href="http://slurl.com/secondlife/Microsoft%20Island/190/73/22"><FONT color=#02469b>http://slurl.com/secondlife/Microsoft%20Island/190/73/22</FONT></A> </FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Calibri>When: November 12, 2008 @ 12:00pm Pacific Time</FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Calibri>What:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun:yes;">&nbsp; </SPAN>Organizational Meeting for a SQL Server User Group</FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;"><FONT face=Calibri size=3>Leader:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun:yes;">&nbsp; </SPAN>Rick Heiges, Director of (not-so) Special Projects for PASS (</FONT><A href="http://www.sqlpass.org/"><FONT face=Calibri color=#02469b size=3>www.sqlpass.org</FONT></A><FONT size=3><FONT face=Calibri>) </FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Calibri></FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Calibri><O:P>If you are new to second life, it is free to join and to create yor own avitar.&nbsp; Come Join us in establising a Virtual Chapter in a Virtual World.</O:P></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Calibri></FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</P>Caught by the roving eye at TechEd, Catching Up on Katmaihttp://sqlblog.com/blogs/rick_heiges/archive/2007/06/13/caught-by-the-roving-eye-at-teched-catching-up-on-katmai.aspxThu, 14 Jun 2007 01:52:00 GMT21093a07-8b3d-42db-8cbf-3350fcbf5496:1464RickHeiges<P>I was in Orlando for Tech for 2.5 days.&nbsp; It was great to see some old friends and make new ones too.&nbsp; I saw fellow SQLBloggers like Kalen, Kevin, and of course Peter to drop a few names.&nbsp; Today, a colleague of mine on the Board of Directors with PASS shot me an e-mail.&nbsp; On the red-gate website, there is a video testimonial by a Sr. DBA from United Health Group.&nbsp; I am caught lurking in the background.&nbsp; Just go to <A href="http://www.red-gate.com/">www.red-gate.com</A> and play the video to see me lurking.</P>
<P>Now, on to more SQL Stuff....&nbsp;&nbsp; I was able to speak with PMs while hanging out in the SQL area about Katmai.&nbsp; I attended 2 sessions on SQL Server 2008.&nbsp; From my first impressions so far, SQL 2005 was the meat and 2008 is the sizzle.&nbsp; There are some really cool things going on in 2008 like the Policy based management functionality to help enforce best practices as well as additional Performance and Scalability enhancements.&nbsp; Usability has also been improved with "Intellisense" finally getting in a release (it was in Beta 1 of Yukon, but got cut). The most general session with an overview of Katmai - SQL 2008 is available for viewing at <A href="http://www.virtualteched.com/">www.virtualteched.com</A> - I encourage you to view this webcast to get the "big picture" and a few morsels.&nbsp; I have not been able to find the other recorded TechEd sessions on SQL 2008 thus far.</P>
<P>And now for something completely unrealted.&nbsp; This morning, we got a Wii. It was hard to find, but we finally got one at an electronics store by being lucky.&nbsp; Anyway, the Wii has a very different interface that makes game playing very interesting.&nbsp; It tracks the movements of the controllers to enable more "life like" gaming.&nbsp; It isn't going to improve my golf game, but it was still a lot of fun to play by actually swinging your arms like a golf club.&nbsp; Although I only got about an hour to spend with the game system tonight, i felt like I knew what i was doig when first playing the games.&nbsp; i wonder if this will influence the interfaces that we will utilize in the future to conduct business.&nbsp; Will we virtually take out a credit card from our wallet and swipe it to complete a transaction?&nbsp; Will some type of controller movement be our new signature?&nbsp; Where will we store all of the data need for this to happen?</P>
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